1
as in to rub
to make smooth by friction
after sawing the board in half, rasp the ends to remove any splinters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
the two siblings seemed intent on rasping each other for the entire car trip
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to wear
to damage or diminish by continued friction
during the last ice age, glaciers rasped the surface, leaving the deeply scarred rock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rasp
Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 18 Aug. 2025
The Chicks were really big on my radar, and Faith Hill—I was obsessed with her voice, the rasp in it.
—As Told To Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 9 June 2025
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2025
The Argentina legend stepped up and rasped the ball into the top corner.
—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rasp
Noun
The crowd was eating out of the palm of his hand, hanging on every word spit with that signature rasp.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 18 Aug. 2025
The Chicks were really big on my radar, and Faith Hill—I was obsessed with her voice, the rasp in it.
—As Told To Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 9 June 2025
Verb
Thrips have rasping, sucking mouthparts.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2025
The Argentina legend stepped up and rasped the ball into the top corner.
—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rasp
Noun
-
Blood from my knee painted more red down a canvas of a million smaller scratches.—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Different types of objects have been successfully 3D printed in space, but making functional human tissue from scratch — blood vessels, for example — requires special innovation.—
Jessica Rendall,
Space.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The constant friction of material rubbing on material wears the clothing out faster, so when there is more time, as in a regular or deep clean cycle, the garment fibers can wear down faster.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The events occurred in and around the lawless border of Venezuela and Colombia, where spies, smugglers and gun runners rub shoulders and distrust their own shadow.—
Kevin G. Hall,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Tips To Keep Your Dishwasher Clean Longer First and foremost, scrape those dishes.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Some 65% of the nonprofit’s most server-straining traffic now comes from bots, some of which scrape the site to feed into chatbots for training.—
Harry Booth,
Time,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
She’d been awakened by their puppy, and had been annoyed at Ryan, who hadn’t gotten up early with the dog like he was supposed to.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Kelce was evaluated for a concussion in the locker room, and he was annoyed at having to answer the questions that are part of the test.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Jenner also shared a mirror selfie, covering her chest with one arm and wearing a towel low on her waist.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Upon arrival at Star Flat, travelers disembark the train wearing red light necklaces (to ensure no one gets lost), which provide light without compromising night vision.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Almog hears the creak of the trapdoor opening, hushed whispers, approaching footsteps.—
Eli Sharabi,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The town’s departments are squeezed into tight quarters where the floor creaks with each step and thin walls make no conversation truly private.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At a time when the Mavericks need as much good will, or PR, as possible, filing a lawsuit against the Dallas Stars is petty, small and mean.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Since then, Shashou and Effron have been iterating alongside what has become a team of 50 robotics engineers on the manicure system, which can remove nail polish; deliver cuticle care; file nails — without blades — and impart colored polish and a top coat to finish.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Time to start bugging a friend with Hulu + Live TV instead or invest in an antenna.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Both can reduce debris or items that attract the boxelder bugs.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rasp. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share